She was not alone: the four Kapernaumov children were with her. She was giving them tea. She received Svidriga�lov in respectful silence, looking wonderingly at his soaking clothes. The children all ran away at once in indescribable terror.

Svidriga�lov sat down at the table and asked Sonia to sit beside him. She timidly prepared to listen.

“I may be going to America, Sofya Semyonovna,” said Svidriga�lov, “and as I am probably seeing you for the last time, I have come to make some arrangements. Well, did you see the lady to-day? I know what she said to you, you need not tell me.” (Sonia made a movement and blushed.) “Those people have their own way of doing things. As to your sisters and your brother, they are really provided for and the money assigned to them I’ve